SAN JOSE, Calif. — July 5, 2026
Football is where the GSF “OTY” (Of The Year) Sports Awards began.
Since launching in 2021, GetSportsFocus has recognized the outstanding student-athletes, teams, coaches, and unforgettable moments that define high school football throughout the Greater Bay Area. For the first five years, GSF staff selected each award winner based on season-long performance, accomplishments, leadership, and overall impact.
The 2026 GSF OTY Sports Awards marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
For the first time in the history of the awards, GetSportsFocus introduced People’s Choice voting. While the GSF staff continued to evaluate the season and select the finalists in every category, the winners were determined by the fans.
The response exceeded every expectation.
Across all GSF OTY Sports Awards categories, 12,978 votes were cast, making this the largest and most successful voting event in the history of the awards.
The 2025 football season produced championship teams, unforgettable performances, nationally ranked recruits, rising stars, and remarkable stories throughout the Greater Bay Area. The inaugural People’s Choice Football Awards celebrate those accomplishments while recognizing every finalist who earned the respect of the GSF staff and the high school football community.
GSF Ultimate Game-Changer of the Year
The GSF Ultimate Game-Changer Award is the highest individual football honor presented by GetSportsFocus.
Unlike position awards that recognize excellence at a single position, the Ultimate Game-Changer Award honors the player whose overall impact changes the outcome of football games through leadership, versatility, production, toughness, and the ability to perform on the biggest stage.
For the inaugural People’s Choice Awards, that honor belongs to Serra standout Malakai Taufoou.
The Oregon commit earned 29.6 percent of the fan vote after a remarkable season that showcased his ability to influence every phase of the game. Whether lining up on offense, making plays on defense, or contributing on special teams, Taufoou consistently demonstrated why he is regarded as one of California’s premier football players.
Championship teams are built around players who elevate everyone around them, and Taufoou embodied that throughout Serra’s championship season. His leadership, athleticism, versatility, and relentless competitiveness made him a fitting recipient of the highest individual honor in GSF football.
Official Results
Winner
Malakai Taufoou – Serra — 29.6%
Finalists
Ryder Lyons – Folsom — 28.0%
Michael Mitchell Jr. – Riordan — 27.5%
Jaden Jefferson – De La Salle — 14.9%
Offensive Player of the Year
Lincoln running back Kyan Phillips earned Offensive Player of the Year after one of the most productive offensive seasons in Northern California.
Phillips rushed for 1,828 yards on 242 carries while finishing with 2,435 all-purpose yards and an incredible 47 touchdowns. His explosive running style and consistency helped power Lincoln throughout a memorable championship season.
Official Results
Winner
Kyan Phillips – Lincoln — 48.1%
Finalists
Tommy Tofi – Riordan — 32.1%
Caedon Afsharipour – St. Ignatius — 11.3%
RJ Mosley – Pittsburg — 8.5%
Defensive Player of the Year
Defense wins championships, and Bubba Vargas proved that every week.
The De La Salle linebacker finished another outstanding season with 64 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and numerous game-changing plays, including an interception against St. Francis and a dominant playoff performance against Pittsburg. His physical style of play and leadership helped anchor one of Northern California’s premier defenses.
Official Results
Winner
Bubba Vargas – De La Salle — 41.8%
Finalists
DJ Sanchez – Riordan — 40.3%
Japheth Tofaeono – Pittsburg — 17.8%
Junior of the Year
Riordan’s Adonyae Brown established himself as one of California’s elite juniors.
The UNLV commit produced 24 touchdowns and 1,627 total yards while consistently delivering against top competition. Brown’s combination of power, speed, and versatility made him one of the most complete offensive players in the region.
Official Results
Winner
Adonyae Brown – Riordan — 57.1%
Finalists
Jace Cannon – Serra — 42.9%
Sophomore of the Year
Drew Cumby emerged as one of the brightest young quarterbacks in the Greater Bay Area.
The St. Francis signal caller earned WCAL Sophomore of the Year honors while displaying poise beyond his years. At 6-foot-3, Cumby has already established himself as one of the area’s rising stars.
Official Results
Winner
Drew Cumby – St. Francis — 45.7%
Finalists
Andrew Ho – Branham — 33.4%
Landon Miller – De La Salle — 20.9%
Freshman of the Year
Making an immediate impact at the varsity level is never easy, but Archbishop Mitty’s Mannix Jennings did exactly that.
Jennings finished his freshman campaign with 30 tackles and eight tackles for loss, establishing himself as one of the top young defensive players in the Greater Bay Area.
Official Results
Winner
Mannix Jennings – Archbishop Mitty — 57.7%
Finalists
Taupaki Latu – Serra — 42.3%
Quarterback of the Year
Few quarterbacks in America have generated more excitement than Ryder Lyons.
The five-star BYU signee once again showcased his elite arm talent, athleticism, and leadership while guiding Folsom through another outstanding season. His ability to create explosive plays both inside and outside the pocket made him the fan choice for Quarterback of the Year.
Official Results
Winner
Ryder Lyons – Folsom — 46.4%
Finalists
Michael Mitchell Jr. – Riordan — 36.1%
Jaden Galvan – St. Mary’s — 17.6%
Running Back of the Year
Adonyae Brown added a second GSF OTY award after earning Running Back of the Year.
Brown consistently delivered against elite competition, including six touchdowns against Serra and a remarkable performance against nationally ranked Folsom. His physical running style and ability to take over games separated him from an outstanding group of finalists.
Official Results
Winner
Adonyae Brown – Riordan — 48.3%
Finalists
Diego Hernandez – St. Mary’s — 29.0%
Mekai Smith – Balboa — 22.7%
Receiver of the Year
Judge Nash proved to be one of the most dangerous playmakers in Northern California.
The Harvard commit finished with over 1,000 receiving yards while averaging explosive plays throughout the season. His ability to stretch defenses and make difficult catches earned him Receiver of the Year honors.
Official Results
Winner
Judge Nash – Riordan — 52.3%
Finalists
King Wade – Pittsburg — 26.7%
Zui Shelton – St. Ignatius — 21.0%
Linebacker of the Year
St. Francis standout Chase Cahoon anchored one of the area’s top defenses.
The Stanford commit recorded 91 total tackles while displaying outstanding instincts, leadership, and toughness. Cahoon’s consistency throughout the season earned him the support of football fans across the region.
Official Results
Winner
Chase Cahoon – St. Francis — 53.5%
Finalists
Bubba Vargas – De La Salle — 34.0%
Charlie Ball – St. Ignatius — 12.5%
Defensive Back of the Year
Lincoln sophomore Michael Whitelaw continued his remarkable rise by earning Defensive Back of the Year.
Whitelaw played a major role in Lincoln’s outstanding season while showing the instincts and athleticism that point toward an extremely bright future.
Official Results
Winner
Michael Whitelaw – Lincoln — 53.4%
Finalists
Cynai Thomas – Riordan — 34.1%
Kenneth Moore III – St. Mary’s — 12.5%
Special Teams Player of the Year
Special teams often make the difference between winning and losing close football games, and no player demonstrated that more consistently than Lincoln kicker Leo Molina.
Molina provided the Lions with a dependable scoring weapon throughout the season, finishing with 76 total points while converting 67 extra points. His consistency and reliability helped Lincoln capitalize on scoring opportunities during one of the program’s most successful seasons.
Official Results
Winner
Leo Molina – Lincoln — 43.5%
Finalists
Shane Harmer – Los Gatos — 29.0%
Saul Marks – Serra — 18.8%
AJ Carey – Livermore — 8.8%
Utility Player of the Year
Winning one major award is impressive. Winning two is exceptional.
After earning the GSF Ultimate Game-Changer Award, Serra’s Malakai Taufoou added Utility Player of the Year to his list of accomplishments.
Taufoou’s ability to impact every phase of the game separated him from the competition. Whether taking snaps on offense, making game-changing plays on defense, or contributing on special teams, he consistently proved there was no role too big or too small. His versatility embodied what this award represents.
Official Results
Winner
Malakai Taufoou – Serra — 51.7%
Finalists
Cynai Thomas – Riordan — 31.0%
Jeovanni Henley – Serra — 17.2%
Starting Offensive Linemen of the Year
Championship offenses begin with great offensive lines.
The Riordan Crusaders earned Starting Offensive Linemen of the Year after anchoring one of Northern California’s most explosive offenses. Their physicality, discipline, and teamwork allowed the Crusaders to establish the run while protecting one of the area’s premier passing attacks.
Although offensive linemen rarely receive the headlines, this unit proved once again that football games are often won at the line of scrimmage.
Official Results
Winner
Riordan Crusaders — 71.0%
Finalists
St. Mary’s Rams — 29.0%
Starting Defensive Linemen of the Year
Serra’s defensive front set the tone every Friday night.
The Padres consistently controlled the line of scrimmage, pressured quarterbacks, disrupted running games, and allowed the rest of the defense to play aggressively. Their dominance in the trenches played a significant role in Serra’s championship season.
Official Results
Winner
Serra Padres — 44.8%
Finalists
De La Salle Spartans — 39.5%
Pittsburg Pirates — 15.7%
Best Single Game Performance of the Year
Every season has performances that fans remember for years.
Lincoln’s Kyan Phillips delivered one of those unforgettable moments during the CCS Championship Game against Branham.
Phillips crossed the goal line six times, carrying the Lions to one of the biggest victories in program history. His remarkable championship performance earned him the inaugural GSF Best Single Game Performance Award.
Official Results
Winner
Kyan Phillips – Lincoln (CCS Championship vs. Branham) — 53.5%
Finalists
Adonyae Brown – Riordan vs. Serra — 22.0%
Ryder Lyons – Folsom vs. Serra — 15.3%
Mekai Smith – Balboa (San Francisco Section Championship) — 9.1%
Coaching Staff of the Year
Behind every successful football program is a coaching staff that builds culture, develops talent, and prepares athletes for success beyond the field.
The Lincoln Lions coaching staff earned Coaching Staff of the Year after leading one of the most memorable seasons in school history. Their leadership helped establish a disciplined, resilient team that consistently rose to the occasion against top competition.
Official Results
Winner
Lincoln Lions — 48.0%
Finalists
Riordan Crusaders — 30.3%
St. Ignatius Wildcats — 15.2%
Balboa Buccaneers — 6.5%
Team of the Year
Winning championships is never easy, and the St. Ignatius Wildcats proved throughout the postseason that they were among the elite programs in California.
Their remarkable season included a CCS Division II Championship, a CIF Northern Regional Championship, and a CIF 3-AA State Championship. The Wildcats’ balanced roster, disciplined play, and championship mentality earned them the GSF Football Team of the Year Award.
Official Results
Winner
St. Ignatius Wildcats — 29.6%
Finalists
Bishop O’Dowd Dragons — 24.7%
St. Mary’s Stockton — 22.8%
Balboa Buccaneers — 22.8%
Student Section of the Year
Great football atmospheres are created by passionate fans.
The De La Salle Spartans Student Section once again demonstrated why it is considered one of the best in Northern California. Week after week, Spartan fans created an electric environment while proudly supporting their team and continuing one of California’s great high school football traditions.
Official Results
Winner
De La Salle Spartans — 44.6%
Finalists
Pittsburg Pirates — 33.3%
St. Ignatius Wildcats — 22.1%
Game of the Year
Some games are remembered long after the final whistle.
The CCS Semifinal between Los Gatos and St. Francis delivered everything fans could ask for—outstanding defense, physical football, dramatic moments, and playoff intensity. Los Gatos emerged with a hard-fought 14-7 victory in what fans selected as the GSF Football Game of the Year.
Official Results
Winner
Los Gatos vs. St. Francis (CCS Semifinals) — 41.6%
Finalists
Gridley vs. Lincoln (CIF Northern Regional) — 37.7%
Serra vs. St. Mary’s (CIF Northern Regional) — 20.7%
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Congratulations to every student-athlete, coach, team, and school recognized during the 2026 GSF OTY Sports Awards. Your accomplishments have become part of the growing legacy of GetSportsFocus and the tradition we continue to build in celebrating high school athletics.
GSF OTY Sports Awards – Recognizing Excellence. Building Legacy. Inspiring the Next Generation.